The Society for the Furtherance of Critical Philosophy aims to promote independent critical thinking in the transformative Socratic tradition. SFCP has an international outlook and engages with others in dialogue and activities about ethical issues and the challenges of personal and public life.
I was chair of governors of Hampstead School when Tamsyn Imison was appointed headteacher in 1984. I learned only after the interview and the decision that Tamsyn’s 17-year old son had died in the previous week. This illustrated how Tamsyn could act rationally even in stressful situations.
Over time a professional and personal relationship developed between us. In 1994 the three existing Trustees of SFCP were Pat Shipley, Morva Fordham and myself. In due course Tamsyn was appointed a Trustee of SFCP and Socratic Dialogue soon became a regular event for schools’s council students.
After retirement in 2000, Tamsyn organised several SDs in her home in Suffolk.
I personally, and we all, will miss her special contribution to our common work.
Dr. Rene Branton-Saran
SFCP was founded in 1940 and aims to promote the practice of critical philosophy through the linked activities of education and scholarship, and through training in and application of Socratic Dialogue. SFCP creates opportunities to discuss such questions as: What is the role of civil society in a modern democracy, and of individuals in the modern state? How can we build a common identity in today’s fragmented societies? How might dialogue be used as a tool to foster understanding both within and between nations and cultures?
Fast links
• A new item in the Publications section: “A Tribute to Grete Hermann” by Pat Shipley and Fernando Leal, featuring Léna Soler’s paper “The Contributions of Grete Henry-Hermann to the Philosophy of Physics”; read it here.
• Invitation and enrolment form for the Southend Socratic Dialogue in February 2018
• Programme for upcoming Socratic Dialogues in the UK for 2018 available: click here
• New publication: “Rene’s Tree of Life”
• Forthcoming SD events in the UK
• Small Grants Application Form; before applying, please read the SFCP Small Grants Policy for Events
2013 Facilitator Training
Facilitators receiving their certificates of participation and attendance
Trustees and Associates
Charity No. 313712
Trustees
Dr. Michael Strain, Secretary
Dr. Dieter Krohn
Dorothy Moir
Dr. Julie-Marie ffrench Devitt
Honorary Fellows
Dr. Rene Branton-Saran
Prof. Fernando Leal
Dr. Patricia Shipley
Training Consultants
Kirsten Malmquist
Treasurer
Keith Martin
Financial Adviser
Kate Nathoo
International Socratic Groups:
Philosophical-Political Academy (PPA)
Society of Socratic Facilitators (GSP)
